Lance Berkman (knee) took swings Wednesday for the first time since his September 11 knee operation.

Berkman is aiming to return to action before the end of the regular season and is hopeful that he'll be able to contribute as a pinch-hitter during the playoffs. But there is no guarantee that either will happen. The 36-year-old has undergone multiple knee procedures this summer.

Lance Berkman (knee) is not ruling out a return for the playoffs or possibly even sooner.

"I'm not ruling anything out, but I'm not ruling it in, either," Berkman said. It's hardly a definitive statement, though Puma added that his knee is "recovering rapidly" from surgery earlier this month. If he does come back, he would almost surely be limited to pinch-hitting duty, but the Cardinals surely wouldn't mind having Berkman's bat off the bench.

Lance Berkman told FOX 26 Sports in Houston that if he decides to retire, he'll return to Rice University to finish his degree and work as a student assistant for the baseball team.

Berkman won National College Player of the Year honors at Rice back in 1997. Owls coach Wayne Graham has said that he would welcome Berkman back. "That's very flattering to me that he would have that kind of trust in my knowledge of the game," Berkman said. "I mean you're talking about one of the true legends of baseball, especially in the Houston area, and for him to want you to be a part of his program is an honor and I would be excited about it because I'm passionate about that age group." Berkman has admitted that his cranky knees probably will never be 100 percent again and admitted recently that he was leaning towards retiring after the season.

Lance Berkman is in Wednesday's lineup against the Mets.

This will be his first start since being activated from the disabled list. He may get the occasional start at first base down the stretch, but will likely be limited to pinch-hit duties due to his knee issues. Allen Craig is getting the day off Wednesday.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Lance Berkman will be limited to pinch-hitting duty.

Berkman's knees still aren't 100 percent and aren't expected to get there at any point this month. Allen Craig will continue to be the regular first baseman. "Right now, I don't think we're in a position where we can start him," Matheny said. "We're going to let the medical team continue to try and get him into a more stable spot. After he pinch hits, I imagine there will be a pinch-running situation at this point."

Cardinals activated 1B Lance Berkman from the 15-day disabled list.

Berkman isn't completely recovered from knee surgery and will be limited to a part-time role going forward. Allen Craig will remain St. Louis' starting first baseman.

Lance Berkman (knee) went 1-for-1 in his final rehab game Thursday evening at Triple-A Memphis.

Berkman was removed after the first inning because of rainy conditions in the area. He is nowhere near 100 percent health, but the Cardinals are planning to activate him from the disabled list on Saturday to bolster their bench. "Big Puma" has played in only 28 major league games this season because of knee issues.

Lance Berkman (knee) had an RBI double and two walks in his latest rehab game Wednesday at Triple-A Memphis.

Berkman served as Memphis' DH after struggling to play first base over seven innings on Monday. He's still experiencing discomfort in his right knee, but the Cardinals are going to activate him soon anyway and use him as a pinch-hitter down the stretch. Allen Craig will remain St. Louis' starting first baseman.

Lance Berkman (knee) will not begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis until Friday.

It's not a setback, just a rescheduling. Berkman is aiming to return to the Cardinals in September as a backup first baseman and pinch-hitter. He has been on the shelf since August 3 with left and right knee discomfort.

An MRI has revealed cartilage damage behind Lance Berkman's left knee.

Berkman suffered the injury while compensating for his surgically-repaired right knee, which he aggravated earlier this month. The 36-year-old insists that he'll return to play later this season, though it's looking likely that he won't be activated until next month. Berkman will be a part-time player down the stretch, as Allen Craig has settled in as the everyday first baseman, and he likely wouldn't be able to hold up physically in an everyday role, anyway.

Lance Berkman will have his right knee examined by doctors Friday after it buckled on him during Thursday's game.

Berkman tweaked his knee coming out of the box on a ground out in the top of the ninth Thursday. He acknowledged after the game that it's "just not a perfect knee." The 36-year-old had surgery on the very same knee in late May.

Lance Berkman (knee) is back in the Cardinals' lineup Friday.

Berkman didn't start the last two games after being hit by a pitch on his surgically-repaired right knee Tuesday, though he did make a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday. David Freese (calf) is sitting out. Puma is batting .281/.395/.469 with one homer during his injury-shortened 2012 season.

Lance Berkman returned to action on Wednesday July 25.

Lance Berkman (knee) didn't start Wednesday's game, but he's not expected to miss much time.

"It's a bruise y'all. Y'all have had bruises," Berkman said. "It's not like it's a major deal." The Cardinals can afford to rest Puma with their abundance of bats, but he should be fine in a day or two.

Lance Berkman left Tuesday's game in the third inning after being hit on the right knee by a Clayton Kershaw breaking pitch.

It's the same knee that he had surgically-repaired earlier this season. Berkman went down in a heap immediately and was in obvious pain. He initially stayed in the game but was running very gingerly from first to second on a single, at which point the Cards took him out and inserted Matt Carpenter. He likely just has a bruise, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit out a day or two given the Cards' glut of hitting options.

Lance Berkman is not in the Cardinals' lineup Tuesday.

"Big Puma" is likely to get regular days off as the Cardinals try to keep Allen Craig active. Craig is starting at first base on Tuesday night against the Brewers.

Cardinals activated 1B Lance Berkman from the 15-day disabled list.

The move is now official. Berkman managed to avoid a rehab assignment and figures to be given regular rest initially, as the Cardinals try to find ways to get Allen Craig into the lineup. Shane Robinson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to complete the transaction.

Lance Berkman (knee) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday.

Puma will get his wish. Berkman worked out Thursday and was able to convince the Cardinals that he didn't a minor league rehab assignment. Still, he'll likely get regular rest initially, especially as the Cardinals try to find ways to fit Allen Craig into the lineup. It's even possible that Berkman will see some time in right field.

Lance Berkman (knee) hopes to be activated from the disabled list Saturday.

Berkman went through a "vigorous" workout Thursday before the Cardinals departed for Cincinnati and thinks he'll be ready to play Saturday. Manager Mike Matheny wouldn't commit to activating him at that time but said it would come sometime during the team's six-game road trip to start the second half. Matheny also added that Berkman "physically, so far, he's checked all the boxes" and is "actually running better than I've seen him in a while." The manager said it's possible Berkman could see some playing time in right field, in addition to first base, as the Cards look for ways to fit their abundance of bats into the lineup.

Lance Berkman (knee) will not be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Berkman has successfully lobbied to avoid a minor league rehab assignment, but the Cardinals want to see him make it through some baseball activities first. However, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Thursday that the 36-year-old will likely be will be activated at some point during the team's upcoming six-game road trip.